by Callie Kanno
Somewhere above their heads there was a burst of blue light. The mercenaries looked momentarily confused before returning to what they were doing. The defending soldiers knew that the signal meant that their reinforcements were on their way.
L’iam continued to fight, bringing his sword up to block a blow and then whipping it around for a counterattack. He pressed as hard as he dared, trying to force his enemy into making some hurried mistake.
The mercenary was too experienced to fall for L’iam’s strategy. He fought with measured reasoning, which won the L’avan’s begrudging respect.
There was no knowing how long the fight between the equally matched foes would have lasted. A man dressed in black moved up behind the mercenary and cut him down without warning.
L’iam looked up in shock and saw the temporary leader of the Matshi standing with his bloodied blade.
The L’avan king felt a surge of anger. To kill a soldier in such a way was not honorable. He had had no chance to defend himself. Besides, L’iam had been in control of the situation, and he felt that he could have won in time.
L’iam took a deep breath and pushed the anger from his mind. His ally had only meant to be of service, and it would be very ungrateful to berate him for interfering.
The Matshi did not wait to listen to anything the L’avan king might have said. Instead, he turned and pressed onward into the lines of the advancing enemies. L’iam watched for a moment as the middle-aged man wielded his knives with astonishing speed and accuracy. Dozens fell before the former Shimat, and he continued on inexorably.
With the arrival of the reserve forces, the current fighting force was expected to slowly withdraw. L’iam had no enemy before him, so he began to make his way to the northern section of the forest where he could rest until it was their turn to relieve the soldiers that were now fighting.
The L’avan and Seharans who were under his direct control knew where to gather and regroup. L’iam headed to the same location to meet them. He had become separated from the main force, and he knew that they would be worried about him.
Mar’sal was the first to spot him, and a wide grin of relief spread across his youthful face.
“Your Majesty,” he exclaimed, “thank goodness you are safe.”
“Yes,” L’iam responded, “I—”
His words were cut off by a sudden shock wave that swept through the forest. It knocked everyone off balance, friend and foe alike.
L’iam knew that it came from the same source as the strange sensations that pervaded the atmosphere, only this time it affected everyone, regardless of the ability to sense vyala.
The air began to audibly crackle with energy, and the sunlight that filtered down through the trees seemed uncertain. Sometimes it appeared to be brighter and other times it dimmed, but there were no clouds in the sky to give explanation.
L’iam gave Mar’sal a meaningful look. “I am going to speak to our Immortal allies.”
“Yes, sire.”
The L’avan king jogged over to where the special L’avan division was positioned. He knew that would be the most likely place to find Sitara or Ruon, and they would be the ones who could give him answers.
As he walked around the camouflaged barrier, he came to an abrupt stop and he felt his heart constrict in fear.
Ravi was lying on the ground, unmoving.
L’iam rushed to his friend’s side. “What happened to him?” he demanded.
“I do not know, your Majesty,” stammered one of the nearby L’avan. “He collapsed a few minutes ago and he has not moved since.”
“He is alive,” assured another soldier. “His heart is still beating, and he is still breathing. It is almost as if he were asleep.”
L’iam placed both hands on Ravi’s head, his heart sick with worry. “You were supposed to stay with her,” he murmured softly. “What could have prevented you from staying by her side?”
“He is by her side,” asserted a voice beyond the gathered group.
L’iam looked up and saw Ruon standing there.
“What do you mean?” he asked the Laithur.
“Adesina has passed from this world to another realm. Ravi was not able to go with her physically, but now his spirit has joined her.”
“His spirit?” asked L’iam fearfully.
Ruon shook his oval head. “He is not dead, L’avan king. His body is simply waiting for his spirit to return.”
L’iam was tired and overwhelmed, and it was difficult for his mind to grasp what Ruon was telling him.
Ruon seemed to understand and a small smile crossed his face. “Do not worry, L’iam. Ravi has gone to give Adesina the support she needs. If they are victorious in their battle, they will both return unharmed.”
L’iam’s eyes turned back to Ravi’s inert body and a silent prayer filled his entire being. He prayed harder than he had ever done before, for he knew that it would be needed.
***
Kendan couldn’t concentrate on his work.
The servants of the Shimat soldiers were expected to keep the camp running while their masters were away in the glory of battle. There was plenty of work to do, and some of it was best done when the soldiers were gone.
Kendan knew that he should be cleaning out his “master’s” tent, but instead he found himself pacing back and forth.
It was unlike him to be so nervous, but he couldn’t seem to help it.
He wasn’t worried for himself. He had confidence that his mission would be accomplished without any problems. No, all of his concerns were centered around a young woman with silver hair and purple eyes.
Kendan suddenly felt a hand on his arm, and he turned in surprise to see Maizah standing next to him. Her eyes were wide and her mouth slightly parted. She gave him a single nod, and he knew exactly what she was trying to tell him.
It was time.
Kendan had not the slightest talent regarding magic, so he didn’t truly understand it. He knew that Maizah could sense other people’s magic, which was why she had been tasked to watch for the sign that Adesina was ready for Kendan to act. The former Shar felt no change between that moment and the ones before it, but he knew better than to question Maizah’s judgment.
He waved for the Tracker to follow him, and together they hurried through the Shimat camp. It was easy to be unnoticed when among the other servants, but that was not the case once they entered the area that was normally occupied by soldiers.
There were only a few Shimat remaining, assigned with keeping an eye on things while the army was away. Each of these guards eyed Kendan and Maizah with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. The two supposed servants kept their heads down and hurried onward as if they had some important task.
As they drew nearer to the black tent with the blood red standards, they found themselves almost completely alone. There was something about that tent that warned people to stay away, even when the occupant was known to be gone. Kendan pushed the feelings of discomfort to the back of his mind and continued to walk straight toward it.
“Kendan?”
The ringing voice caught him off guard, and he found himself turning to look at the source before he could stop himself.
It was a Shimat by the name of Larn, who had been one of Kendan’s rivals when they were students.
There was no use in pretending to be a servant now that they had been recognized, and Kendan silently cursed his ill fortune. He slowed to a stop and turned to face Larn, waiting to see what his former fellow Shi would do.
An arrogant grin spread across Larn’s face and he sauntered over to where Kendan was standing. “I thought that was you. Imagine my surprise in seeing a traitor walking through the Shimat camp.”
Kendan chose his words carefully. “I am the slave of one of the Shimat who captured me. This woman is my keeper, given the task of preventing me from escape.”
Maizah’s eye took on a flinty expression and she gave a single nod in confirmation of his words. She certainly looked the pa
rt that she had been given.
Kendan watched Larn’s face to see if he believed the lie. Larn had never been very imaginative, and so it had not been difficult to deceive him when they were children. Kendan prayed that the same held true to the present.
Larn’s grin didn’t falter. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen,” he exulted. “Once the insufferable nephew of the Sharifal, and now nothing but a slave to those you considered inferior.”
Kendan was relieved that Larn had believed his story, but he knew that the ordeal was far from over. His fears were confirmed with the Shimat’s next statement.
“Well, since you are a servant, you are required to obey the commands of all Shimat. I have a few things I would like to see you do.”
Kendan clenched his fists at his side. He didn’t have time to submit to the whims of a jealous and vengeful former classmate.
Maizah took one step forward and brought her hand down in a forceful gesture. She shook her head and pointed a different way.
Larn looked confused, and stared at Kendan for explanation.
“She is mute,” Kendan told the Shimat. “It was considered best, so she could not be…manipulated…by me.”
Understanding spread across Larn’s dull features. “What is she saying?”
“I was given a list of tasks by my master,” he answered. “I must do them before I can do anything else.”
Larn set his jaw in a stubborn expression. “Well, I am in charge while the army is gone. You will do as I say.”
Kendan felt his patience waning.
Something cold and hard was pressed into his hand. Maizah had passed him a knife.
He sprang forward with deadly speed, aiming the blade with precision.
Larn was clearly surprised, but he reacted as a true Shimat. He jumped out of harm’s way and brought his own weapon to bear. The blade sliced through Larn’s side, but the wound went unnoticed.
Larn held two small axes and swung them back and forth with a look of gleeful menace on his face. “I have waited for years for the chance to cut you down to size. Who would have thought that my opportunity would come now?”
Larn rushed toward Kendan, and the latter waited patiently for his opponent to close the distance.
Larn had always lacked the grace that Kendan naturally possessed. He did not attempt any fancy footwork or intricate movements with the axes, but instead simply ran forward and hacked downward.
Kendan felt a flash of contempt as he dodged the blow with ease. He had never understood how Larn had graduated his training, and he was not surprised that Larn had been left behind to guard the camp while the army went to fight.
He let Larn charge him once more and deftly moved to the side while making use of his small knife. The blade found its target and Larn fell to the ground with an expression of shock on his dull face.
Kendan didn’t wait to finish off the Shimat or to see if any other guards had been alerted to what had happened. He motioned to Maizah and the two of them rushed up the small hill to the black tent that was pitched at the top.
There were no guards, which Kendan thought odd. But perhaps it was assumed that no one would willingly go near Cha-sak’s domain.
He and Maizah slipped inside, and the Tracker immediately turned to keep watch. Her eyes were fixed on the small opening of the tent, making sure no one approached without warning.
Kendan walked into the darkness of the tent. There were no lamps, and for a moment he wondered if Basha had been moved to a different location. Then his searching eyes identified the outline of someone sitting in a chair.
He moved closer and silently knelt before what was left of the young woman. He had not known her well, but he knew her by sight. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness he studied her face, and he found that he hardly recognized her at all.
Her blunt features were withered and gaunt, making her look much older than she really was. There was a scar on her cheek where Adesina had marked her many years ago—a scar that had filled Basha with hatred for the one who inflicted it. Her light blue eyes, once cold and calculating, were now empty spheres that stared at nothing.
Kendan knew instinctually that Basha was no longer in possession of her body. He was not one to speak of souls, but he knew at least that her mind was gone.
In an action that surprised himself, he reached out and placed his hand over hers. He spoke to her in a low voice, even though he reasoned that she could not hear him.
“Basha, it is Kendan. I have come to set you free.”
There was a momentary flash of life in Basha’s vacant eyes. It was a glint of acknowledgement, and one of pleading.
Kendan felt his throat tighten, and tears stung his eyes. He raised his knife to her heart and gave her hand a squeeze.
“Sleep now,” he whispered. “You are safe.”
Chapter Fifty: Decision
Adesina had never felt such power coursing through her body. She felt invincible, and it was a heady sensation.
She didn’t have much time to enjoy it.
Cha-sak rushed her, his enlarged form streaming wisps of shadow. He raised one clawed hand and brought it down again, as if to swat her like an insect.
Adesina steeled her frame against the force that she knew was coming, and her large feathered wings spread in anticipation. She raised her blazing sword in an automatic defense, but she knew she didn’t have the strength to withstand such a blow.
Or, at least, that is what she thought.
With an audible ringing sound, her Blood Sword stopped Cha-sak’s hand.
The blade did not cut his flesh, but the bright power that emanated from it seemed hurt him in a different way. The demon hissed in pain, as though he had been burned, and he withdrew his clawed hand quickly.
Cha-sak opened his mouth and spat a huge fireball at her. It was composed of the freezing black flames that Adesina had seen before, only now on a larger scale.
Adesina leapt backwards and her feathered wings wrapped around her like a shield. The fireball burst against the wings and the air crackled ominously as the flames dissipated. She felt a jolt of pain run up her back, and she realized that the wings were not simply decorative. They were connected to her body, and they could be injured just as her other limbs.
You cannot stay on the defense. Fight!
Ravi’s voice sounded in her head, and she squared her shoulders.
The young Serraf summoned her vyala around her, swirling in tangible light. She had become so powerful that her body was buffeted by the power as it circled her. Adesina reached out with her mind and she felt Ravi reaching back. Her guardian held onto her firmly, keeping her steady in the torrent of vyala.
Adesina whipped her feathered wings outward, and dozens of darts of light streamed toward her enemy.
Cha-sak swept his clawed hands in front of him, using mists of shadow to block out the light. However, several of the darts still made it through and pierced Cha-sak’s body. The demon howled in pain and his glowing red eyes filled with a surge of fury.
Cha-sak’s tail shot forward in a sudden physical attack, catching Adesina off guard. The blow knocked her backwards, and it felt as though every ounce of air had been forced from her lungs.
Adesina gasped for breath, momentarily stunned.
Move, Ma’eve!
She followed Ravi’s instructions out of instinct, and she rolled out of the way of another lash of Cha-sak’s tail.
A flick of Adesina’s wings brought her to her feet again, and she started running in a randomly selected direction. She was still recovering from being hit so hard, but she knew that she would be safer as a moving target.
It only took moments for her thoughts to clear, and she immediately began to form a plan for her next attack. She could hear the demon pursuing her, and she knew that she needed to act quickly to catch him by surprise.
Adesina heard the demon skid to a stop, and she looked over her shoulder to determine the reason why.
Cha-sak stood frozen,
with his glowing eyes wide in shock.
“My vessel,” he rasped. “You have severed me from my vessel. How?”
The L’avan queen felt a surge of triumph. Kendan had been successful in his mission, which meant that Cha-sak was now vulnerable.
She turned and planted her feet, gathering her vyala into Falcon. Her wings spread outward as she raised her blade and pointed it at Cha-sak’s charging form.
“Fly, Falcon,” she commanded.
The flaming form of a falcon burst from her Blood Sword and streaked through the air at her enemy. Her increased vyala made the falcon larger than ever before, and the flames that followed it glittered like gold. A falcon cry sounded as the shining form flew toward its target.
It collided with Cha-sak, and the smell of singed flesh permeated the air. The demon shrieked in pain once more, but he was not as easily destroyed as others who had met with the attack.
Adesina felt the sharp drain of her vyala, as she had before when using that attack, but it did not leave her helpless. She was bolstered by the vyala of her allies, and she immediately began forming her next attack.
The air began to clear of the smoke from Cha-sak’s burned flesh, and the demon became visible once more. His left arm was badly injured, and his face was covered in severe burns. It made his shadowy form look like a bed of dying embers, with bits of red glowing at the edges.
The demon paused to look at his own injuries, and Adesina felt a distant hope that he would admit defeat.
Such luck was not to be hers.
Cha-sak stood up straighter and he raised his arms as if summoning his powers. Shadows began to swirl around him in response, and his injuries began to heal themselves. It was only a matter of moments before he was completely unmarked by her attack.
Cha-sak’s eyes had taken on a manic gleam, and his voice was filled with hatred. “Do you think such a paltry show of power would stop me? Nothing can stop me. It does not matter that you have severed my connection with Basha. I do not need the aid of mortals. I am the King of Darkness, and you are nothing but a puppet to those too cowardly to face me.”